Scholz praises 'spirit of Berlin' ahead of Western Balkans summit

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday celebrated what he called the "spirit of Berlin" ahead of a summit of leaders from the Western Balkans focused on forging closer ties with the European Union.

The meeting - known as the Berlin process - has been held annually since 2014, bringing together leaders from Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

"We have managed to create something that I would call the spirit of Berlin," Scholz said in the German capital, praising achievements such as travel agreements, the reduction of roaming charges, student exchanges and a partnership to promote the use of renewable energies.

The summit comes days after German mediation helped to resolve a long dispute over free trade in the region, a result Scholz said was "nothing less than a breakthrough for regional cooperation."

The chancellor also reiterated his support for the countries' accession to the EU. "The European Union is only complete with the Western Balkans as part of it," Scholz said.

Of the six states, only Kosovo is not an official candidate for EU membership.